Pavel Bělík

MCSC Dept Chair and Professor of Mathematics and Data Science

CB 93
612-330-1091
belik@augsburg.edu
https://web.augsburg.edu/~belik/

About Me

I am fascinated by all applied mathematics, that is mathematics applied to solve problems in real life. For that reason I am interested in all science and areas where mathematics can be of help, and, consequently, view myself as a lifelong learner. Most of the real-world problems cannot be solved analytically and computational approaches are often required. I am fascinated by the many ways computing can be used to “solve” such problems and have studied computational mathematics since I was 18.

After obtaining an equivalent of a Master’s degree in Computational Mathematics at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, I obtained a Ph.D. in Mathematics at the University of Minnesota, where I worked, under the direction of Prof. Mitchell Luskin, on the mathematical modeling and computer simulations of shape-memory alloys. I have also obtained a graduate minor in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics by taking courses on topics like continuum mechanics, elasticity, plasticity, and crystallography.

In general, I am interested in all areas of applications of mathematics and have worked on mathematical and computational problems related to the shape memory alloys, oil and natural gas detection and recovery, thin films for car windshields, effects of radiotherapy prostate treatment, and, most recently, tornadoes and origami.

I joined Augsburg (then College) in 2008 and have had the pleasure to work with many students ranging from MAT 105 Applied Algebra to MAT 395 Mathematical Modeling with Differential Equations. I challenge my students to not only learn the material required to pass a course, but mainly to think on their own, learn how to ask questions about a problem in hand, communicate about the topic both orally and in writing, work as part of a team, and learn additional skills such as using scientific software.

At Augsburg I often teach courses in the calculus sequence which allows me to show the beauty of mathematics to many incoming students and awaken the passion for math in them. In Numerical Mathematics and Computation, my students realize how all mathematics is interconnected and how it is connected to other disciplines like computer science, physics, chemistry, biology, and others. In courses for non-science majors many of my students discover their comfort with mathematics and its utility, and many realize that they “can do math!”

Over the years I have mentored many undergraduate students sponsored through the URGO office who have worked with me on topics ranging from the mathematical modeling of organic solar cells, the behavior of heat-shrinkable thin films, to problems related to tornadic and non-tornadic fluid flows and problems in numerical root finding. It is one of the most rewarding aspects of this job to see the new generations of students mature into young scientists capable to contribute to the scholarship and research in their own discipline.

Education

MSc, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic, Computational Mathematics, 1995
Ph.D., Mathematics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, Mathematics, 2000

Frequently Taught Courses

  • MAT 145 Calculus I
  • MAT 245 Calculus III
  • MAT 355 Numerical Mathematics and Computation

Research Interests

  • Applied Mathematics and Mathematical Modeling
  • Numerical Analysis, Scientific Computing, Mathematical Simulations
  • Computational Mechanics, Materials Science, Tornadic Flow Modeling

Professional Affiliations

  • American Mathematical Society
  • Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
  • American Meteorological Society